Venomous spiders in Indiana
How to recognize them
Black widowMedically significant21 records, 6 counties
Brown recluseMedically significant147 records, 10 counties
Black widow Latrodectus mactans, L. variolus, L. hesperus
- Shiny black female with a round abdomen
- Red hourglass or two red marks under the abdomen
- Messy, strong web low to the ground, often in garages, wood piles and water meters
Brown recluse Loxosceles reclusa
- Dark violin shape on the back, neck of the violin points to the rear
- Six eyes in three pairs (most spiders have eight)
- Plain tan abdomen and legs with no bands or spines
Almost all spiders have venom, but very few can hurt people. We list the ones with medically significant bites plus a few that people often worry about.
Counties with records
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Active months
Harmless spiders people mistake for them
- Brown Recluse vs Wolf Spider Wolf spider: harmless
- Brown Recluse vs Cellar Spider Cellar spider: harmless
Quick answers
- Lives here Are there brown recluses in Indiana?
- Lives here Are there black widows in Indiana?
- Not here Are there tarantulas in Indiana?
Questions
How many venomous spiders are in Indiana?
2 species live in the state: Black widow and Brown recluse.
Which venomous spiders in Indiana are dangerous?
Black widow and Brown recluse: bites or stings need medical care.
When are venomous spiders most active in Indiana?
Most open records fall in May to July.
Which harmless spiders get mistaken for venomous ones in Indiana?
Wolf spider and Cellar spider. See the side-by-side comparisons below.